COOLEY'S FIRST-CLASS CAREER

"My immediate task will be to come up to speed with their plans and work with the players and support team to ensure the preparation is spot on for a successful tour."

As well as coaching, he will also be an acting national selector for the South Africa tour, which begins on 13 October with the first of two Twenty20 internationals, followed by three one-day internationals and two Test matches.

Cooley began his coaching career with Tasmania, but was widely credited with helping England's fast bowlers such as Andrew Flintoff and Simon Jones master reverse swing in the lead-up to the 2005 Ashes.

AUSTRALIA IN SOUTH AFRICA

Two Twenty20 internationals (13 & 16 October)

Three ODIs (19, 23 & 28 October)

Two Tests (9-13 and 17-21 November)

A day after Cooley's appointment was announced, Australia named their one-day international and Twenty20 international squads for South Africa - with uncapped 18-year-old paceman Patrick Cummins, who was surprisingly handed a central contract earlier this year, included in both squads.

Cummins, who has played only three first-class and two one-day games for New South Wales - and is yet to take a wicket in the latter format at state level - will become Australia's youngest ODI debutant if he plays in South Africa.